Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe Beach is Perth's most beloved urban beach. White sand, impossibly blue Indian Ocean water, and a Norfolk pine-lined foreshore backed by the iconic Cottesloe Pylon. It's a place that looks exactly like it should, and the crowds that arrive for sunset every evening know it.

Protected by an offshore reef, the water here tends to be calmer than at many other Perth beaches. That makes it a solid pick for a swim even when conditions are rougher elsewhere. The reef doesn't kill the surf entirely though, so you'll still find waves for surfing and bodysurfing when the swell gets through.

The Indiana Tea House is a heritage-listed building right on the beach, adding some history to the foreshore. Marine Parade runs along the beach with free parking, though a three-hour limit applies.

Each March, Sculptures by the Sea transforms the foreshore into an outdoor gallery, with large-scale artworks dotted along the shore.